Collided Souls

C A N E

Once stood a man—a man who feared there would be no woman for him. No woman at heart. He thought being alone would protect his happiness. Was he right? Or... was he wrong?

I stopped writing. The blinking cursor taunted me, daring me to type something next. I sighed deeply and restarted the cycle—again.

It's been almost a month, and still, I've got no inspiration. Not even a title. With a groan, I slammed my laptop shut and let my body fall back in the chair. I stared around my classroom.

Next class doesn't start until one.

Right now, it's eleven.

I sighed again and decided to do what I always do when I feel stuck—walk. Walking helps clear my mind. Most students scatter when they see me, and I don't know if it's fear or something else. Between me and myself, I admit—I kind of like it. Power has a funny way of isolating you.

You need help.

No, I don't.

I stood up, stretched, and walked up the stairs to my classroom door. The moment I turned the knob, I came face-to-face with Lauren. I mentally rolled my eyes, keeping my expression flat as I stared down at her.

"Yes?" My tone held zero warmth. The only person I'm polite to is the girl with whiskey eyes.

"Hi..." she said, flirting.

Another mental eye roll. I tuned her out, already picturing Imogen instead. Is it wrong to imagine one woman while another speaks to you? Probably. But is it wrong if the woman you're thinking about is the one who actually matters? No.

I raised a hand. "Sorry... just remembered I don't care."

Lauren blinked, stunned, as I brushed past her into the hallway. Students and staff bustled by. My chest clenched—tight and sudden. I needed out. Now.

Too many people.

I ducked into a nearby classroom. Eyes shut. Breathing ragged. I hadn't expected to feel this again—but here it was. Claustrophobia.

Outside noise surged louder than it should've. Curious, I made my way out. Everyone was gathered on the courtyard.

"He didn't mean to... you didn't mean to, right, Brett?" Imogen's voice rang sharp in the chaos. I pushed through the crowd until I saw her—standing between some handcuffed stranger and Brett, who also had cuffs on.

Blood was everywhere.

"Yeah..." Brett's eyes narrowed.

"See?" Imogen forced a smile. "Please don't arrest him."

"Ma'am, I—" the officer began.

"Please," she said again, begging.

The cops exchanged a glance, sighed, and uncuffed Brett. He wiped blood from his lip. Imogen grabbed his arm and led him away. He glanced back at me.

And smirked.

Smirked.

He's lucky all he got was a bloody lip. Should've been a broken nose.

I looked away and locked eyes with the stranger. Cold. Unreadable. Even as the cops shoved him into the back seat, he kept staring. A chill ran through me.

What the hell happened?

I followed the crowd back inside. Classes resumed like nothing happened. But I wasn't letting this go. I stormed to Imogen's room, flung open the door—but she wasn't there. Until I turned around. She and Brett were standing right behind me.

"Hi..." she said, sheepishly.

"Hi," I gritted.

"Mr. Nixon," Brett greeted with that smug smile.

My fists curled. "Mind telling me what happened?"

"A fight," he answered like I should already know. I did—but I wanted details.

"Ca—I mean, Mr. Nixon," Imogen corrected herself, "we'll talk about it later." She pulled Brett away to her desk.

He turned. Winked.

One day, I'll lose my job for punching a student.

I exhaled, left her room, and returned to mine.

Whether it's today or tomorrow, I'll get the truth out of her—even if I have to bribe her.

◊◊◊◊

"I want answers," I said, pulling back from Imogen.

She raised a brow. "Seriously? You're asking now? During our movie night? After kissing?"

I sat up. "Yes."

She sighed with a half-smile and followed me, pausing the movie and pulling Witty into her lap. "Brett got into a fight with a guy who..." she trailed off. "You know what, we're getting to my favorite part of the movie and—"

I cut her off with a flurry of kisses. Her hum of protest melted into a sigh as I pulled back.

"You're unfair," she whispered.

"Tell me. I'm tired of repeating myself." I pet Witty along with her.

She bit her lip. "If I tell you, you'll be mad."

"I won't."

"You will."

I frowned. "Try me."

She hesitated. "With everything going on—between us, Christian, this—I didn't want to stress you out. And I didn't think the whole school would see what happened."

"They're college students. They're nosy," I shrugged.

She giggled. "True. Anyway... the guy came out of nowhere and grabbed me. Like—tried to take me. Brett jumped in."

"Of course he did." I muttered.

"See!" she poked me.

"I can't help it."

Imogen leaned in and kissed me. "I know. That's why we're a secret."

"And if we're caught?" I asked, brushing my lips against hers.

She slowly shut her eyes. "I can't imagine."

I kissed her again.

Me either.

A/N

Uh-oh....💌